Monday, December 14, 1998
Mistake-plagued Bruins take overtime win against Ducks
OREGON: Sailer receives chance for redemption after missed field
goal
By Vytas Mazeika
Daily Bruin Staff
Despite allowing 38 points, the UCLA defense became the reason
why the Bruins won the second overtime game in school history.
After UCLA place-kicker Chris Sailer’s 21-yard field goal at the
end of regulation went wide left, Bruin head coach Bob Toledo
decided to put his tired defense back on the field.
The defense responded with two sacks from linebacker Brendon
Ayanbadejo to open the game. Then Sailer got a chance to redeem
himself after an interception by cornerback Ryan Roques on the
fourth-down desperation heave by Oregon quarterback Akili
Smith.
The Bruins ran the ball five straight times before Sailer split
the uprights with a 24-yard field goal. UCLA 41, Oregon 38.
"It’s a terrible feeling to know all the team had done so much
to get to that point, and it wasn’t like it was a long field goal
or anything; it was a little chip shot," said Sailer, who was
hampered by a strained groin and hip flexor. "It was a terrible
feeling. I’m just glad the team did its job and gave me another
chance to win."
The theme of the day appeared to be missed chances.
Oregon tailback Reuben Droughns, who ended the day with 172
rushing yards, fumbled the ball three times and lost it twice.
Sailer also had a 42-yard field goal attempt blocked with 6:49
left in the fourth quarter. UCLA, however, should never have been
forced to rely on Sailer.
Up 24-7 near the end of the first half, Bruin quarterback Cade
McNown dropped back from the Duck eight-yard line and threw the
ball for a patented UCLA wide receiver screen.
Oregon defensive end Saul Patu read the play and stepped in to
intercept the pass. The ball was returned deep into UCLA territory
and Smith led the Ducks to a touchdown that made the score
24-14.
Instead of being comfortably ahead 31-7 at halftime, the Bruins
turned the game into a nail-bitter by allowing Oregon to pull
within 10 at halftime.
McNown tried to atone for his mistake by using one of the trick
plays in the UCLA playbook. On a fake-option run, McNown dropped
back to pass and hit a wide open Brian Poli-Dixon in stride.
The Bruin split end had the sure touchdown go right through his
hands, and UCLA was forced to punt.
"We tried to throw interceptions, and they tried to fumble to
lose the game," UCLA head coach Bob Toledo said. "We missed a field
goal and had a field goal blocked. It was just an unbelievable
roller coaster ride for us today."
Next was a match-up against yet another undefeated Pac-10 team:
Arizona.
CHARLES KUO/Daily Bruin
DeShaun Foster dodges the Oregon defense before injuring his
left knee.
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